THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN DENIA
the 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN DENIA
INTRODUCTION: 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN DENIA
10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN DENIA: Planning a trip to the Mediterranean coast? Are you thinking about Denia, Spain, but you don’t know too much about this town and you’re just not sure? No problem. You’ve come to the right place. This post will answer your questions and help you plan the best vacation trip ever. As someone who has lived in the area for over a decade and has explored this region from one to the other, I’m glad to share my insider knowledge of this beautiful Spanish destination on the Costa Blanca. (see related post on the Costa Blanca)
Denia is a beautiful port town located on the southeast coast of Spain about halfway between Valencia to the north and Alicante to the south. It has about 20km of coastline made up of fine sandy beaches, hidden coves, and a rocky coastline. Denia marks the start of the region Costa Blanca which extends south-southwest about 200km. It has a permanent population of around 50,000 which of course grows noticeably during the busy tourist season in the summer.
There are traces of prehistoric habitation in the area and the town itself can trace its existence to as far back as the 4th century BC when it was a Greek colony. Today it lies at the northern end of the Costa Blanca and has both a healthy tourist industry and is also an important port town providing one of the main ferry access points to the Balearic islands by sea.
(To find out more about this area, check out our post on Costa Blanca and our Guide to the Mediterranean Coast of Spain)
WHAT ARE THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN DENIA?
Visit the Town of Denia
Unlike some other coastal destinations that can get quite busy and overwhelming, Denia is a beautiful small town and is an excellent place to just walk around and explore.
Visit Baix La Mar (the old fishing quarter)
This old section of town built directly near the port has picturesque houses which give an idea of what life was like for the fisherman and their families that lived here.
Visit Denia Castle and Walls
The castle dates back to the Islamic period and is located on a hill overlooking the town. From here you have incredible views of the town and of the Mediterranean. Immediately beside the castle is the town quarter, Les Roques, which was the old walled part of the Arab town, with baths, mills, and ovens.
Hollywood History
Denia has served as a backdrop for several movies over the last 80 years with many big-name movie stars staying here in that time. Stars such as Raquel Welch, Faye Dunaway, Christopher Lee, Bruce Willis, Sigourney Weaver, Richard Chamberlain, Charlton Heston, Michael York, Bette Davies, and Mia Farrow have all acted in productions filmed right in the streets, alleys, and Port of Denia. The town has doubled as Portsmouth (Scotland), the cities of Dover and Calais, a Caribbean port town, Singapore, Paris and Algiers.
Cuisine
Denia is designated a “Creative City of Gastronomy by UNESCO” At its heart, Denia is an old fishing village, and seafood figures quite high in all of the local restaurants. There are local delicacies that you will want to try when you are here such as the red prawn of Denia, or the “arros a banda” (seafood paella) and the “suquet de peix” (seafood/fish stew).
Beaches
There are two beaches in Denia that were awarded the coveted Blue Flag designation. To the north of Denia are perfect fine sand beaches ideal for the whole family. To the south is a rugged rocky coastline with hidden beaches and coves. There is a total of 20km of coastline in Denia with dozens of sand beaches.
Water Sports and Activities
As with most places on the Mediterranean, watersports are a main activity here. You can swim, snorkel, windsurf, kitesurf, kayak, paddleboard and sail. If you didn’t bring equipment with you, don’t worry as there are rental shops at the marina and along the beach. There are also a couple of dive centers right at the marina where you can ask about dive courses and excursions.
Cycling
Denia is a beautiful area to go cycling with the area immediately around the town and towards the west being relatively flat. There are several locations in Denia where you can rent bikes for your vacation either by the hour, day, or week, and with special family rates in some instances. If you are interested there are some guided bike tours available in the area as well.
Tip: If you bike east from town approximately 4km you can see the Torre del Gerro, a watchtower built in the 16th century to protect the Mediterranean coast against pirate attacks.
Hiking
The Montgo mountain is just 2km to the south of the marina, and there are several hiking trails to choose from. The difficulty and distances cover a wide range. A good source of info for hiking trails on Montgo is to check with the Montgo Natural Park website.
Boat Tours
This is a port town so of course there will be boat tours available. Check with the local companies at the marina for prices and departure times. The tours will range from under an hour to a full day, so there is something for everyone here.
Day Trips
Valencia
Valencia is located about 75km north along the coast. It is a beautiful port city, the capital of the province of Valencia, and is the 3rd largest city of Spain. I’ve been there a few times and most recently had a chance to spend the weekend there for the Valencia Marathon, one of the top marathon events in the world. In short, Valencia is a must-see destination with an extensive shopping district, a world-class science museum, various historical landmarks, a beautiful city park, an incredible “Old Town” district, a well-developed marina, and the beautiful 2km long Malvarosa beach area directly in the city. This is just a short list, but to find out more check out our post on Valencia.
Alicante
Alicante is also an excellent day trip option. It is a port city on the Mediterranean with a rich history, several historical landmarks including the Castell de Barbara, an excellent shopping district, a promenade lined with restaurants, bars, and cafes, and a beautiful marina and beach area directly in the downtown area. (for more about the main city of the Costa Blanca, see our related post on Alicante).
Benidorm
Located only 40km away is the town of Benidorm, the “Las Vegas” of the Costa Blanca. It is an excellent beach vacation destination, with two main beaches in town, with boardwalks lined with cafes, beachbars and restaurants. However, if you are already staying in a holiday location along the Costa Blanca, you may be more interested in the nightlife of Benidorm which is second to none. There are various nightclubs, theatres, and concerts throughout the town with tons of things to see and do. (see related post on Benidorm to find out more)
Ibiza/Mallorca
Denia serves as one of the main ferry terminals serving vehicle traffic to and from the Balearic islands. From Denia, it’s just a short hop to Ibiza (2 to 3 hours one way) and a ferry ride to the island could be an excellent adventure to consider (even as just a walk on passenger). As a day trip, it might be cutting it close timewise, but for an overnight stay or a weekend, this is absolutely possible.
Tip: Ferry rides to Ibiza are considerably cheaper from Valencia. Depending on your budget and the time you have to play with, it might be worth combining a day trip to Valencia with a ferry ride to Ibiza from Valencia.
FINAL THOUGHTS: THE 10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN DENIA
Denia is a great vacation destination in an ideal location on the Mediterranean coast. Dozens of Hollywood directors over the years have chosen this town to make their films which speaks volumes for how beautiful this town is. With a Mediterranean climate, 320 days of sun a year, fine golden sand beaches, a rugged coastline and an impressive mountain overlooking the town from a distance, Denia is a beautiful vacation spot on the Costa Blanca.
“Don’t Just Dream It! Do it!”
How about experiencing the Mediterranean first hand? Use the map below to inspire you and plan your next Mediterranean vacation right now!
Reg Auge
Reg holds an MBA, is a former Captain in the Canadian military and has worked as a consultant in industry for over 20 years. From his home in Spain, he has spent the last 10 years traveling throughout the Mediterranean, exploring the various countries and regions. He also regularly runs, windsurfs, and kite surfs, maintaining a healthy and active way of life. Captivated by this Mediterranean lifestyle, he began a Blog last year to inspire like-minded souls to learn about and discover this unique region for themselves.
